Lara Devgan, MD, FACS, MPH

03/22/2025

My signature approach to profile balancing 📐

A balanced nose and chin serve as the quiet anchors of facial harmony, allowing the eye to appreciate the more expressive features—like the eyes, lips, and cheekbones—without distraction. When these foundational elements are in proportion, they recede gracefully into the visual background, creating a seamless silhouette in profile and allowing the face to read as unified and intentional. True beauty often lies not in any single feature, but in the way each part supports the whole, and a well-balanced nose and chin are essential to that unspoken, effortless equilibrium.

03/20/2025

Eyelid surgery is one of the most refined and elegant ways to enhance facial aesthetics, not by changing the fundamental character of the face but by optimizing the delicate details that frame the eyes. The slightest adjustment—whether smoothing excess skin, refining the contour of the upper eyelid, or subtly addressing under-eye puffiness—can create a profound yet natural transformation. These refinements allow more light to reach the eyes, making them appear brighter, more open, and more expressive. While others may not immediately pinpoint what has changed, they will instinctively perceive a refreshed, well-rested, and more harmonious look. The beauty of eyelid surgery lies in its subtlety—when done well, it enhances without announcing itself, allowing the eyes to become a true focal point of attraction and expression.

03/20/2025

Surgical rhinoplasty and custom-carved chin implant 📐

Rhinoplasty and chin augmentation are fundamentally about achieving facial harmony, ensuring that no single feature dominates but rather enhances the overall aesthetic balance. The nose, as a central structure, should complement rather than overshadow the surrounding features. When properly refined, the nose subtly integrates into the profile, allowing the eyes to appear more expressive, the lips more defined, and the overall facial proportions more elegant. Similarly, a well-proportioned chin provides structural support to the lower face, reinforcing balance between the forehead, nose, and jawline. By addressing these elements thoughtfully, we allow the true focal points of beauty—like the eyes, lips, hair, and brows—to shine, creating a natural and timeless result.

03/18/2025

A facelift is not about erasing wrinkles but restoring youthfulness, vitality, and identity. The true artistry lies in preserving natural contours, not simply tightening skin. Aging alters the deeper structures of the face—fat pads shift, ligaments relax, and bone resorbs—changing how light and expression interact.

Precision is everything. A millimeter can define elegance or distortion. Beautiful technique repositions rather than pulls, while subtle fat grafting restores lost volume. Incisions follow natural lines to remain invisible. Every adjustment is an exercise in meticulous technique and artistic intuition.

A facelift is not about reversing time—it’s about balance, proportion, and honoring each patient’s unique beauty.

Midface lift
Lower facelift
Necklift
Upper lid blepharoplasty
Lower lid blepharoplasty
Lip lift
Brow lift
Autologous fat grafting
Erbium Laser resurfacing
skincare

03/18/2025

Understated elegance in midface lift, lower facelift, necklift, and autologous fat grafting 📐

The importance of macro face shape in facial youthfulness and attractiveness:
Over time, the inverted cone of youth—characterized by high cheekbones, a defined jawline, and a tapered lower face—gradually shifts into a trapezoidal shape, resulting in a heavier, bottom-heavy appearance. This transformation occurs due to a combination of fat descent, volume loss in the midface, ligamentous laxity, and skin redundancy, leading to jowling, lower facial widening, and neck laxity. My signature approach to facial rejuvenation focuses on restoring vertical lift and structural support through a midface lift, lower facelift, and neck lift. By repositioning deep tissues, reinforcing facial ligaments, and refining contouring, I restore the natural proportions of a youthful face—lifting the cheeks, refining the jawline, and smoothing the neck. The goal is always a natural, harmonious result, avoiding an over-pulled or unnatural look while restoring the elegance and definition that time has softened.

03/14/2025

The power of millimeter level changes: surgical rhinoplasty and temporal brow lift 📐

In plastic surgery, millimeter-level changes can mean the difference between a result that looks natural and one that appears overdone or unbalanced. The face, in particular, is a complex interplay of structure, proportion, and harmony, where even the most subtle refinements can enhance beauty while preserving a patient’s unique identity. Precision is paramount—raising a brow by a single millimeter can alter expression, adjusting the nasal tip by a fraction can refine elegance, and meticulous lip contouring can restore youthfulness without distortion. The art lies in restraint, in knowing when a micro-adjustment is enough to achieve symmetry, balance, and a look that feels effortless. True beauty is found in these details, where expertise ensures results that whisper rather than shout, leaving behind an impression of timeless, natural refinement.

03/12/2025

Before and 1 month after surgical necklift/ lower facelift for my beautiful patient

03/12/2025

03/11/2025

My thoughts on the viral trend I wouldn’t do on my own face in

The salmon s***m facial has gained popularity for its purported skin benefits, but there are several reasons to be cautious:
1. Limited Scientific Evidence – There is little robust clinical research proving that DNA from salmon s***m significantly improves skin quality beyond what other, better-researched ingredients (like PRP, peptides, and growth factors) already provide.
2. Allergic Reactions and Sensitivities – Marine-derived ingredients can trigger allergic reactions, skin sensitivities, or irritation, especially in individuals with fish or seafood allergies.
3. Potential Contaminants and Purity Issues – Without strict regulatory oversight, there’s a risk of contaminants, bacterial exposure, or inconsistent purity in formulations, which could lead to infections or adverse skin reactions.
4. Unclear Mechanism of Action – While DNA fragments may have some hydrating and reparative properties, they don’t stimulate collagen production or cell turnover as effectively as retinoids or peptides.
5. Better Alternatives Exist – Proven treatments like platelet-rich plasma (PRP), growth factors, and bioactive peptides offer superior skin rejuvenation benefits with more scientific backing and lower risk.

Overall, the salmon s***m facial is more of a marketing gimmick than a true breakthrough, and safer, evidence-based options should be prioritized for effective skin rejuvenation.

03/11/2025

Before and 1 week after body contouring surgery

In abdominoplasty with re**us diastasis repair and contouring liposuction, meticulous attention to anatomy and detail is paramount to achieving both functional and aesthetic excellence. The re**us diastasis repair requires precise plication of the linea alba to restore core strength and prevent postoperative bulging, ensuring a flat and natural abdominal contour. I carefully assess the degree of diastasis, tailoring the repair to avoid over-tightening, which can lead to discomfort or an unnatural waistline. Simultaneously, liposuction is strategically performed to sculpt the flanks and refine transitions, maintaining vascular integrity and preserving the natural highlights and shadows of the abdominal wall. Fat removal is carefully calibrated to enhance definition without creating irregularities, and I always account for skin quality and elasticity to optimize redraping. Every suture placement, fat contour, and tension adjustment is done with the goal of achieving a balanced, natural, and long-lasting result while prioritizing patient safety and recovery.

03/11/2025

When performing a non-surgical rhinoplasty and chin augmentation for a balanced profile, I consider:
1. Proportional Harmony – I assess how the nose and chin interact, ensuring one doesn’t overpower the other. A recessed chin can make the nose appear larger, so both must be in balance.
2. Key Angles – I refine the nasofrontal (forehead-nose), nasolabial (nose-lip), and mentocervical (chin-neck) angles to create a harmonious profile.
3. Soft Tissue vs. Skeletal Support – I evaluate bone structure and skin thickness to determine optimal filler placement and longevity.
4. 3D Balance (Frontal & Profile Views) – I ensure the chin complements the midface and jawline, preventing an overly narrow or wide appearance.
5. Filler Selection & Longevity – I use high G-prime fillers for precision, choosing structured products for the nose and firmer fillers for the chin to mimic bone.



This approach ensures a natural, elegant, and well-proportioned profile.

03/07/2025

A night at

03/07/2025

When performing eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), I carefully balance identity and attractiveness to achieve natural, harmonious results. Here are five key considerations I focus on:
1. Preserving Natural Eyelid Shape and Ethnicity
Every patient has a unique eyelid shape, canthal tilt, and ethnic anatomy that defines their identity. I ensure that surgical changes maintain the patient’s natural eye shape rather than over-resecting skin or fat, which can alter their expression or cultural features.
2. Avoiding Over-Resection of Fat and Skin
Removing too much skin or fat can lead to a hollowed, aged look rather than a refreshed appearance. I assess each patient’s periorbital volume carefully, often repositioning rather than removing fat to prevent a sunken or skeletal appearance over time.
3. Balancing Upper and Lower Eyelid Proportions
The upper lid crease, lower lid height, and lid-cheek junction must be in harmony. I consider how the brow position affects upper eyelid heaviness and how tear trough hollows or malar descent impact lower lid aesthetics. This ensures a smooth transition between lid and cheek without creating an unnatural or over-operated look.
4. Maintaining Expressiveness and Avoiding a ‘Surprised’ or ‘Pulled’ Look
The eyes communicate emotion, and excessive skin removal, improper canthal repositioning, or aggressive muscle tightening can result in an unnatural, startled, or sad expression. I prioritize subtle lifting, conservative skin removal, and canthal support when needed to maintain expressiveness.
5. Optimizing Long-Term Aging Outcomes
I think beyond just the immediate result—considering how the eyes will age over decades. This means addressing lid laxity, muscle support, and brow position to prevent complications like lower lid retraction, ectropion, or progressive hollowness. When needed, I incorporate fat grafting, laser resurfacing, or brow lifting for a more comprehensive, long-lasting rejuvenation.

By balancing these factors, I achieve natural, attractive results that enhance my patients’ features while respecting their individuality.

03/07/2025

When I approach a profile balancing case, whether surgically or non-surgically, I focus on five key proportions to ensure harmony between facial features:

1. Facial Thirds (Vertical Proportion)
I evaluate whether the face is divided into equal thirds:
• Upper third: Hairline to glabella
• Middle third: Glabella to subnasale
• Lower third: Subnasale to menton
If there is an imbalance, I consider options like forehead augmentation, rhinoplasty, dermal fillers, or chin reshaping to restore proportionality.

2. Nasal Projection and Nasolabial Angle
Using Goode’s Ratio, I check if nasal projection is about 55-60% of the nasal dorsal length. I also assess the nasolabial angle—typically 95-105° in females and 90-95° in males. If the nose is over- or under-projected, I determine whether rhinoplasty, tip refinement, or subtle filler adjustments would provide balance.

3. Chin Projection (Rickett’s E-Line)
I analyze how the chin aligns with the E-line (a line from the nasal tip to the pogonion). If the chin is too retrusive, I may recommend genioplasty, a chin implant, or filler augmentation. If it’s too prominent, reduction genioplasty or botulinum toxin to the mentalis might be appropriate.

4. Lip Position Relative to the E-Line
I check whether the upper lip is ~4 mm and the lower lip ~2 mm behind the E-line. If lips are overly retrusive, lip fillers or orthodontic intervention might be needed. If they are too prominent, I consider reducing volume through surgical or non-surgical approaches like hyaluronidase or orthodontics.

5. Gonial Angle and Jawline Definition
A well-defined jawline enhances profile balance. I assess the gonial angle, which is ideally 120-130° in females and 110-120° in males. If the angle is too steep or weak, I may recommend jawline implants, filler contouring, buccal fat removal, or masseter Botox to refine the lower face.

By carefully evaluating these five proportions, I can create customized surgical and non-surgical plans that enhance facial harmony while maintaining natural aesthetics.

03/06/2025

Global facial optimization with:

Buccal fat pad excision
Tear trough augmentation
Cheekbone augmentation
Nonsurgical rhinoplasty
Lip augmentation
Neuromodulator brow lift
Chin augmentation

Buccal fat pad excision is a nuanced procedure that, when performed with precision, can enhance facial aesthetics in several ways. Here are five key ways I use it to improve facial balance and contour:

1. Refining the Lower Face in Select Patients
I use buccal fat pad excision to sculpt the lower third of the face in patients with full or rounded cheeks that obscure underlying bone structure. This helps create a more defined transition from the cheek to the jawline, enhancing the natural contour without over-hollowing.

2. Improving Midface Definition
In patients with mild to moderate midface ptosis or a heavy appearance in the lower cheek, a conservative excision of the buccal fat pad can improve the perception of cheekbone prominence. This enhances the Ogee curve and restores youthful definition.

3. Balancing Jawline Contours
For individuals with a weak or less prominent jawline, removing excess buccal fat can sharpen the lower face, creating a more angular and chiseled look. When paired with chin or jawline augmentation (implant or filler), the result is a more proportionate and structured lower face.

4. Enhancing the Effects of Facelift Surgery
In patients undergoing a facelift, selective buccal fat removal helps eliminate residual fullness in the mid-to-lower cheek area, refining the overall lift result. This is particularly beneficial in cases where soft tissue descent has led to a widened or boxy lower face.

5. Correcting Facial Asymmetry
Buccal fat asymmetry can contribute to an imbalanced appearance, particularly in patients with naturally fuller cheeks. I use tailored fat pad reduction—sometimes asymmetric excision—to harmonize the facial structure while maintaining natural volume where needed.

03/04/2025

When planning a natural-looking facelift and neck lift, I focus on four key aesthetic considerations to achieve results that are both refined and authentic:

1. Artistry in Restoration – A facelift is not just a surgical procedure; it’s an artistic endeavor. I approach each face with a sculptor’s eye, carefully shaping contours to restore youthful definition while maintaining soft, organic transitions. My goal is to enhance beauty in a way that looks effortless rather than surgically altered.

2. Respect for Individual Anatomy – Every face has a unique skeletal structure, fat distribution, and ligamentous support system. I tailor my technique to each patient’s anatomy, ensuring that the lift follows the natural vectors of their face rather than imposing a standardized approach that could distort their features.

3. Preserving Facial Identity with Historical Comparisons – Reviewing old photos is essential in my planning process. I analyze how a patient’s features have evolved over time, identifying what has changed and what should be restored. This allows me to create results that reflect their younger self rather than making them look like a different person.

4. Tolerance for Imperfection in Service of Overall Facial Attractiveness – True beauty is not about flawlessness but about balance and character. Overcorrecting every wrinkle or asymmetry can strip the face of its natural expressiveness. I embrace subtle imperfections when they contribute to a globally attractive, harmonious result, ensuring my patients look refreshed but never overdone.

03/04/2025

When performing tear trough and cheekbone augmentation to rejuvenate the upper third of the face, I consider the following five key factors:

1. Naturalness of Contours – The goal is to restore youthful volume without creating an overfilled or unnatural appearance. I prioritize smooth transitions between the tear trough, midface, and cheekbones to maintain soft, natural contours that integrate seamlessly with the patient’s existing features.
2. Subtlety in Volume Restoration – Precision in filler placement or implant selection is crucial to avoid excessive projection or an exaggerated look. I focus on adding just enough volume to correct hollowness and shadowing while preserving the patient’s inherent facial dynamics and expressions.
3. Understanding of Deep and Superficial Anatomy – A deep knowledge of the orbital and zygomatic anatomy guides my approach. I carefully assess fat pad positioning, ligamentous support, and bony structure to determine the optimal technique for structural enhancement while minimizing risks like filler migration or vascular complications.
4. Coherence of the Result with the Entire Face – The upper third of the face must be in harmony with the midface and jawline. I ensure that tear trough and cheek augmentation blend seamlessly, avoiding an isolated or disjointed enhancement that disrupts facial balance.
5. Longevity and Biocompatibility – Whether using fillers, fat grafting, or implants, I consider the longevity of results and how the materials interact with surrounding tissues over time. I choose techniques and products that maintain structural integrity while aging gracefully alongside the patient’s natural facial changes.

03/04/2025

A beautiful result from subtle tear trough and cheekbone augmentation to rejuvenate the upper third of the face

When performing tear trough and cheekbone augmentation to rejuvenate the upper third of the face, I consider the following five key factors:
1. Naturalness of Contours – The goal is to restore youthful volume without creating an overfilled or unnatural appearance. I prioritize smooth transitions between the tear trough, midface, and cheekbones to maintain soft, natural contours that integrate seamlessly with the patient’s existing features.
2. Subtlety in Volume Restoration – Precision in filler placement or implant selection is crucial to avoid excessive projection or an exaggerated look. I focus on adding just enough volume to correct hollowness and shadowing while preserving the patient’s inherent facial dynamics and expressions.
3. Understanding of Deep and Superficial Anatomy – A deep knowledge of the orbital and zygomatic anatomy guides my approach. I carefully assess fat pad positioning, ligamentous support, and bony structure to determine the optimal technique for structural enhancement while minimizing risks like filler migration or vascular complications.
4. Coherence of the Result with the Entire Face – The upper third of the face must be in harmony with the midface and jawline. I ensure that tear trough and cheek augmentation blend seamlessly, avoiding an isolated or disjointed enhancement that disrupts facial balance.
5. Longevity and Biocompatibility – Whether using fillers, fat grafting, or implants, I consider the longevity of results and how the materials interact with surrounding tissues over time. I choose techniques and products that maintain structural integrity while aging gracefully alongside the patient’s natural facial changes.